Chelsea suffered yet another defeat from a winning position, this time losing 3-2 to West Ham United in the Premier League on Thursday.
The Blues took the lead in the first half of the match but a series of nervous moments in key positions ensured that the Hammers got back into the match and helped themselves secure a much-needed gap from the relegation zone.
Chelsea, on the other hand, lost all the momentum they had gathered after defeating Leicester City in the FA Cup last weekend and for once, it seemed like the Blues were not worthy of holding onto their Champions League status.
Speaking after the game, Frank Lampard explained how unwanted mistakes forced them to miss out on three important points on Thursday.
‘We made mistakes in the build-up to the goals, not just defenders, which cost us the game,’ he as per the club’s official website.
‘I would not call it a wakeup call, because every game is different. We have six games ahead of us now and this was not a huge surprise as if you play in the Premier League and you make mistakes if you dominate possession but you don’t quite do enough with it in the top end of the pitch, then it can happen.
‘That is already something that we knew and we have to accept it now it is done and move onto the six games ahead of us.’
Not only did Chelsea lose three points but at the same time, they missed the golden opportunity to move above Leicester into the third spot as the Foxes went down to Everton on the very same day.
‘It is something that has happened a few times this season, we have had the opportunity to close gaps or jump over teams,’ he added.
‘That is the sign of where we are, we have a lot of hard work to do to get to where we want to be and that is the reason the rest of us are chasing Liverpool and Man City, because of the consistency they have developed over time. That is what we have to work towards but it is frustrating.
‘If we are in that position, it is how you bounce back, how you move forward. We now have Watford at the weekend and games after that to try to carry on. We have to realise the position we are in terms of fighting for the Champions League places and move forward.’
Chelsea will have no time to repent on the loss since they take on Watford and Crystal Palace in their next two matches and Lampard will be hoping to pick up wins in both these games.
West Ham United take on Newcastle United this weekend which should be an evenly fought contest but this worthy win vs Blues will surely give David Moyes’ men a lot of confidence heading into St James’ Park.
